Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1920 — TRUE BLUE [ARTICLE]

TRUE BLUE

By ANNA M. GORDON.

(A. PIK «>y McClsr* Nawapapar oya«lMtw> Somewhere in the prosaic little town of Ironton, there lived a likely lad by the name of David Glen, to be exact David never had been a handsome boy, and two years of trench life bad added no new beauty to his appearance. His deep gray eyes were still weak and watery from the blinding effects of gas; there bad grown a slight stoop in bls thin shoulders; afifibAtehes of Iron gray hair bad mingled with the black along his temples. Not one person In a hundred would throw more than a,casual glance in his direction on passing him In the' street. Blueeyed Hazel did, though, and now David doesn’t want anyone else to, that is, not in the same way.

Back In the days of the world war not a handful of people had ever given David Glen a thought. On his return from France he found that his reputation, running ahead of him, had paved a royal road for his feet to travel as he marched into Ironton. Buildings were decorated with banners; speeches were being made and crowds if people- thronged the streets. — In the midst of It all, Djvld was homesick and lonesome, until a slender girl, stopping by his side as he rested from the march, -rewarded him with her praises and with the light of her eyes for all the hardships through which he had passed. That Is why Dhvid ®len sat every pleasant evening on blue-eyed Hazel’s piazza—by Hazel’s express command, and Invitation. Under ordinary circumstances they might neVer have met, for Hazel was as rich as David was poor. This fact caused Aunt Caroline, Hazel’s guardian, many sleepless nights, and as yet she had arrived at no definite conclusion. regarding how to dispose of David. For that matter, David’s concerns were even then bothering him quite as much as they were bothering Aunt Caroline. Totally oblivious of anything or anybody save himself and Hazel he discussed them. Two hours they had sat on the wide front piazza of the red brick house talking over plans, and the topic was still fresh. The afternoon sun had slipped away; dusk had fallen f a solitary woman coming into the house by the side entrance, and passing through the hall, had paused by the screened piazza door unnoticed. Still the young people continued to discuss plans for the future.

“I can understand, Hazel, just how you feel," said David. “You want to hlre ! this new house beside Aunt Cardline’s and furnish it well, because Aunt Caroline has a big house.” At the words “Aunt Caroline” the quiet woman inside the doorway gave a slight start. A puzzled smile wreathed her mouth as she listened. Then, deliberately standing farther back in the shadows, she cupped her hand over her .left ear that she might near a little plainer. "Now, I say,” continued David; “let’s start honest. Let’s live our own lives where I can afford to. You know I lost what few clients I had when I went to war.” The quiet woman in the--doorway leaned breathlessly forward awaiting the reply. It cape at last, slowly, but yielding. “I know you’re right, David, but Aunt Caroline has been like a mother to me, and the new house is a dream.” Try as hard as she could, not another coherent sound could the listening woman hear. As for the incoherent ones l —they were not meant for her.

“So they plan to leave me,” she sputtered, all Indecision about David Bown. “They plan to leave me all alone in this big house —no honest man to advise me about my property —no little girl to help me fix my clothes decently—those two, out there —the only man Eve ever heard talk honest —and the little girt Tve brought up from a baby. Not much I Not if I know it!” Back through the hall Aunt Caroline hastened. Opening ’ the door with a bang she confronted the guilty miscreants. “You come in here with me, both of you,” choked she. “We’ll soon make some headway abqut your affairs.” Blinking painfully at the bright light, David and Hasel meekly followed after the irate little woman along the hall to the living room. There, standing hand in hand by the round center table, they surveyed her with questioning eyes. . “Nbw children.” she ejaculated, gesticulating with both hands. Tm an old woman, and one who must have her own way. Don’t interrupt me until I finish. That new house on the right has come into my possession, and I intend, just as soon as I can, Io make it over to you for your wedding present.” * “We thank you but we can’t afford to live " began David. - f “Walt until I finish,” commanded Aunt Caroline. ‘TH give you thia house on one condition —that David takes me as his client. I want to be relieved of my business worries. lam going to take a rest” With her hand on’David’s shoulder, Aunt Caroline anxiously watched the results of her maneuver. < Then David looked gleefully down at Hazel, and Hazel, patting his gray coat sleeve, looked almost jealously at Aunt Caroline. Not for one moment did she rieubt but that Aunt Caroline saw David as she dld-s hero, gigantic and brave, ready to tackle and cote goer the whole earth.